Original 1972 Munich Olympics Poster Designed by Richard Smith
Item Details
An original 1971 hand-pulled color lithographic poster promoting the 1972 Munich Olympics, signed and dated in plate to the upper left by English-American pop artist Richard Smith (born 1931). The lower part of the image is cut away and inlayed with a separate sheet of printed paper, creating podium steps. A large area of green rises above the podium, capped with Smith’s interpretation of the Olympic colors. The lower left corner of the poster bears the Olympic logo. This remarkable piece of art and sport history is unframed.
In anticipation of the 1972 games, Germany sought to create a more positive international image for itself. It commissioned several artists from around the world to design posters promoting the event as “The Happy Games.” Unfortunately, this motto was overshadowed by the tragic murder of 11 Israeli athletes. Artists designing the posters were free to choose their themes, but encouraged to incorporate a relationship with the Olympic ideal. These 1972 posters were the beginning of a long heritage of beautiful art posters designed specifically for Olympic games across the world.
Condition
- poster is torn around inlays to verso. Wear across poster and along edges and corners.
Dimensions
Item #
17CIN058-468
